October 25, 2012

A dog's teeth are made to rip flesh and crush bone, and sometimes they do, even in the modern days of dog chow.

During a three-year period 2009-20011, 49 Fort Worth police officers were badly bitten during calls involving aggressive dogs. And an average of 36 dogs per year were shot by police during that period.

But although a dog is barking and snarling it may not necessarily be a threat.

Officers learned that Wednesday in a new training class aimed at helping them assess canine threats.

They also learned non-lethal ways to defend themselves if a dog does attack.

Police officials want to avoid outcomes like the May 26 shooting of Lily, a 5-year-old border collie-English setter mix, that was shot by an officer investigating a copper theft on the city's east side.

Her owners, Cindy and Mark Boling, say they'll work to see the training implemented in police departments across the nation.

"The loss was overwhelming," said Mark. He added that just as a K-9 officer grieves the loss of a dog, "we feel the same way."

September 13, 2012

Here’s a round up of incidents from Sept. 12 that were reported by Fort Worth police.

10:37 a.m. Officers responded to a home invasion call from the 4400 block of Angus Drive. A man said he got a call from his alarm company, so he went home and found an intruder who showed a handgun. The burglar then ran off with numerous items, but no one was hurt.

5:53 p.m. Officers responded to a dog bite call in the 3800 Cibolo Drive. A woman said she saw her dog and a neighbor’s dog fighting through the fence. She tried separating them, but she said her neighbor’s dog bit her hand. Animal control was notified.

9:43 p.m Officers responded to a robbery call at a convenience store in the 2200 block of East Loop 820. The victim said a man entered the store and demanded money, but fled without getting any. No one was hurt there, either.

September 12, 2012

A 21-year-old Fort Worth man has been arrested in the shooting of a homeowner who had interrupted a burglary at his south Fort Worth home Tuesday morning.

Clevon Montego Emerson III was in jail Wednesday, facing a charge of aggravated robbery. He is accused of shooting Ruben Rangel, 55, after Rangel arrived at his home in the 5800 block of Jennie Drive to find Emerson inside and gathering items to steal, police have said.

Pastor of Fort Worth church arrested on sexual assault charge

A Fort Worth pastor has been arrested and faces a charge of sexual assault in a 2000 case in which he is accused of performing sexual acts on a then-18-year-old girl, according to police.

Crowley police identified the suspect as Darrell Wayne Blair, 43, of Waxahacie, pastor of New Breed Christian Church in Fort Worth. His accuser, now an adult, told Crowley police that she had kept quiet about the alleged assault until now because the pastor owned a gun and he told her that no one would believe her, a police report stated.

And now here are some overnight briefs reported by the Fort Worth Police Department.

At 2:19 a.m. Sept. 11, officers responded to a robbery of a person in the 4800 block of East Lancaster Avenue. The victim said he was at a food store when a man approached him, demanded money and then punched the victim. The man grabbed the victim’s money and fled.

At 2:27 p.m. Sept. 11, officers responded to a robbery call in the 6200 block of Miranda Drive. Two people said they were working in a yard when two men approached them. One man showed a handgun and grabbed a weed eater and leaf blower. The two men then fled.

At 2:31 p.m. Sept. 11, officers responded to a dog bite call in the 1500 block of Grand Avenue. A 72-year-old man said he was riding his bike in the area when a white pit bull and a brown dog began chasing him. The dogs bit the victim several times before running off. The man went to the hospital. The owners of the dogs were not located.

At 6:46 p.m. Sept. 11, officers responded to a robbery call at a Liquor Store in the 6400 E Rosedale Street. A man said he was working behind the counter when another man entered the location, brandished a han gun and demanded money. The man then fled the location. Officers arrived in the area and located the suspect’s vehicle. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

-- Compiled by Bill Miller from the works of Deanna Boyd, Domingo Ramirez Jr. and Fort Worth Police